Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $77,450 a year ($37.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,730 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $79,580. There are 2.9 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,600, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| 25th percentile | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| Median | $77,450 | $37.24 |
| 75th percentile | $92,670 | $44.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,730 | $46.02 |
| Average (mean) | $73,600 | $35.39 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,454.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,227.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,978.85 |
| Weekly | $1,489.42 |
| Hourly | $37.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,100 | 7,930 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $98,120 | 170 |
| Evansville, IN | $84,500 | 510 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $83,460 | 340 |
| Kokomo, IN | $82,270 | 100 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $82,190 | 3,700 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $80,460 | 360 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $66,950 | 3,120 |
| Columbus, IN | $64,970 | 110 |
| Bloomington, IN | $62,120 | 230 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,890 | 1,920 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $61,710 | 290 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,630 | 230 |
| Muncie, IN | $59,910 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Electrician | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| Carpenter | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Roofer | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Glazier | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $64,240 | $30.88 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $95,510 | $45.92 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $49,680 | $23.89 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $77,450 a year, or $37.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $95,730 a year. The top 25% earn $92,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,500 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $57,800 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 650 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.